Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has delivered his verdict on Wataru Endo after the midfielder escaped a red card at the weekend.
The 30-year-old midfielder lunged into a challenge with Christian Norgaard, catching the Brentford midfielder on the shin.
After a check, Endo escaped any punishment with the Japanese midfielder staying on for the remainder of the encounter.
The decision was checked by VAR, but they decided to stick with the on-field decision with no card being awarded to the Liverpool man.
Dermot Gallagher on Endo’s challenge
Speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports News, the former referee admitted he thought the team on the day came to the correct decision.
“I didn’t think it was a red card at the time and I don’t think it’s a red card now. If it’s a foul, which the referee doesn’t [give], he’s low, they are both going for the ball and keen to get it.
“It’s not an act of serious foul play.
“The referee has got the best view, so he knows the speed he has come at, he knows the intensity of it. For me, not a red card.”
Split opinions on Endo’s challenge
It is safe to say the decision made by the officials on Sunday has split opinions between the fans of both clubs.
However, it was a 50/50 tackle, with Norgaard unfortunately on the receiving end of a tackle from the Liverpool man.
Thankfully, the Danish midfielder wasn’t injured in the tackle and went on to complete the game despite falling to a 3-0 defeat.